Stillness

Peaceful Sunday on the golf course.

"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment."
~Jane Austen

GQ

Village on Venetian Bay, Naples

Since I've already touched on the subjects of shopping and fashion for the ladies, in the name of gender equality, I dedicate this post to my male visitors.

According to the latest fashion magazines for men, these days belts are optional when wearing a suit. In fact, many say you should always forgo the belt when wearing a modern two-button suit. If you decide to wear a belt, make sure it is leather and matches your shoes. The buckle should be the same color metal as your cufflinks and watch, either silver or gold.

So there. I've done my good deed for the day. Just don't blame me when you lose your pants - I'm just the messenger here ;-)

Waterways

Mangrove estuaries of Florida

"Rivers are roads that move and carry us whither we wish to go."

[French original: Les rivieres sont des chemins qui marchant et qui portent ou l'on veut aller.]
Blaise Pascal

The question is: where do you wish to go?

Metamorphosis

"The woods are lovely,
dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."

Robert Frost

Many of you expressed dismay at how empty the pools are in my community. Well, this shows more of the same - our private beach at Hickory Island is deserted as well.

No, it's not for the hot weather (there are nice breezes coming off the Gulf of Mexico), or the mosquitoes (naturally controlled in our area) that most of Naples empties out for the summer .

The reason is quite simple - about 70% of the homes in my community are vacation homes, used only for a few months a year. Now it's time to make the trek back north, to our family, friends, work, school...

I've been already spending more time in Michigan than in Naples lately. There are also time-consuming personal commitments to fulfill. I will continue posting on NDP when time allows, but it will not be every day. I hope you'll visit, whenever you think of me and miss the Florida sunshine ;-). I know I will miss you!

Forsaken

This pool (one of many in my community) is representative of the summers in Naples - sunny, wet and...deserted ;-)

Wish you were here!

The Big House

This is the Municipal Jail of Naples. Notice the guard tower?

All the hard-core criminals - those that mispronounce "bruschetta", drink white wine with beef bourguignon or wear black socks with shorts - serve their time here.

So be forewarned: unless you drive a Lexus on your visit to Naples, you could end up here as well ;-)

Gotta believe!

(This one's for Nikon)

"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all."

- Emily Dickenson

Quiz Tuesday part 31

Old habits die hard...so here is one more quiz ;-)

This tree, which technically is not a tree at all, produces one of the most popular foods on earth.

Today's question: what kind of (not a) tree is it?

Ahoy mateys!

Ft Myers beach

Stop ye whining ye yellow bellied, lily-livered landlubbers! If you are itching for some seafaring adventure, I give you Captain Paul.

Here's an old dog of the seas, ready and willing to take you on his private yacht for an afternoon of unforgettable fun!

I must say though, for all this pirate attire, he doesn't look too intimidating...And shouldn't he be chewing tobacco, instead of an ice-cream cone ;-)

Shipwrecked!

Big Hickory Island beach (can you spot red-clad Robinson on the faraway island?)

"SEPTEMBER 30, 1659. - I, poor miserable Robinson Crusoe, being shipwrecked during a dreadful storm in the offing, came on shore on this dismal, unfortunate island, which I called "The Island of Despair"; all the rest of the ship's company being drowned, and myself almost dead." Daniel Defoe

Doesn't that just make you want to pick up a copy of Robinson Crusoe again and relive his adventures?

Good weekend...and good reading!

Big gulp

Coconut Point mall, Bonita Springs

Getting back to the subject of the obesity epidemic in the States...

Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi distributors agreed to halt nearly all soda sales to public schools by the year 2009! According to the plan, the schools will only sell water, diet soda, unsweetened juice and sport drinks, as well as fat-free and low-fat milk.

Just this one policy can add years to the lives of 35 million young people!

Reckless endangerment

In the course of a lifetime, we must pass numerous tests: to make the grade, to get a job, to obtain a driver's license, to adopt a pet...

Sadly, there are no requirements we have to pass to become a parent!

If you enlarge this photo, you will see a father, baiting the alligator to approach for a closer look. Alligators can run as fast as 40 miles per hour on dry land - how fast do you think the father can run in those "crocs"(shoes)? And what's worse, how is he going to protect his children...

Fashion island

Chico's flagship store downtown Naples

If you are a female over 35 and live in the USA, you are familiar with Chico's. Or you should be, since you are the target consumer for this retailer of exclusively designed, private label, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing and complimentary accessories.

Their first store opened in 1983 on Sanibel Island, a stone's throw from Naples, and became the fastest-growing women’s specialty retailer in the country. Currently they are up to 900 outlets!

Am I revealing too much about myself, if I tell you I own some pieces from their Travelers Collection? The jersey material never wrinkles, is easy to pack and comfortable to wear on any form of transportation...

And no, I'm not on Chico's payroll ;-)

Addiction

I am drawn to this courtyard in downtown Naples. It's not for the over-the-top pool sculptures. Or the larger-than-life wild animals statues. Or even the patina-covered lanterns.

It is just feeding my lifelong fascination with over-the-fence cascading bougainvillea ;-)

The art of serenity

Golf course lake

"What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue."

Henri Matisse

Main Street, USA - 2

Continuing on yesterday's subject...

Richard commented on the narrow width of the sidewalk. The Champs Elysées it certainly is not, but I would say it is typical for a small town main street in our country.

How wide are the sidewalks in your town?

Main Street, USA

I've been remiss in not showing you this sooner - historic 5th Ave South, downtown Naples. The heartbeat of the city, the quintessential Main Street.

But don't let that "small town charm" fool you. This is not Sheriff Taylor's Mayberry...Golly! This naturally beautiful district (full of banyan and poinciana trees) offers a cosmopolitan sophistication where you can indulge in epicurean delights in the many first class restaurants and bistro’s, browse in over 100 art galleries or shop for the latest in fashion.

All of that and you are only steps away from the beach...

Of chocolate and lizards...

Venetian village, Naples

See the lizard advancing on the discarded ice cream cone at the base of the statue? Is that a strawberry-chocolate double dipper?

You think this lizard is aware of the recent study showing that eating chocolate reduces blood pressure? Should we tell him that only dark chocolate is beneficial? Are lizards stressed enough to even develop hypertension?

No answers today. Only silly questions ;-)

Independence Day

Promenade at Bonita Bay

This is the closest I could get to red, white and blue...Actually, it is more like pinkish, blue and cream, but you get my point, right?

"...I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations...with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other..." President John Adams, in a letter to his wife, July 3rd, 1776.

To all of you celebrating today: Happy 4th of July! For the rest of you: Happy hump day!

Quiz Tuesday part 30

This might very well be my last quiz, so I'm making it nice and easy. Hope you enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed your loopy guesses and comments ;-) As always, thanks for playing along...

If you ever miss Quiz Tuesday (hey, it could happen!) you can stroll down the memory lane, by clicking "quiz" under the post labels.

Today's question: What the heck is it? How is it used?

And here's the answer:

Super-sizing

This is one of the more popular eateries in our area.

The menu is pretty varied and the food better than average, but the portions are notoriously large. I can never finish my meal. While it might sound attractive to some, this is one reason why 64% of all Americans are overweight. And that's costing our government money for health care.

Last year, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) tried to enlist the help from the nation's eateries to join them in fight against obesity. One of the restaurant chains, Ruby Tuesday, responded by reducing portion sizes and posting calorie information on menus. Within weeks, their sales dropped off dramatically. Few months later, the chain admitted it was a painful error and has gone back to larger sizes.

Lesson learned - if you want to stay in business, never tell an American how much he can eat ;-)

Theme day - The Color Red

The color red symbolizes romantic love - so here's to all you lovers out there:

"Love is the flower of life,

and blossoms unexpectedly and without law,

and must be plucked where it is found,

and enjoyed for the brief hour of its duration."

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D. H. Lawrence

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Not enough red? Click here.

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98 Daily Photo sites are seeing red as well. Please use the links below to visit them.

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